The Berlin-based artist has been working for the past few years in ceramics to create sculptures inspired by the Architeuthis, a deep-sea-dwelling squid that up until a few years ago had never been encountered alive.

In an effort to examine gender roles and sex-positive education, the collaborative happening blends visual and performance art, giving artists who are often ignored and underrepresented a space to express themselves.

Camille LeFevre muses on what fuels the lasting allure of the romantic ballet staple, “Swan Lake”– from the recent popular film, “Black Swan,” to this week’s full-length performance of the work at Northrop, by the Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

With a budget crisis ahead, Republicans are calling for cuts to federal and local budgets. What might this mean for the arts?

– Max Sparber, Minnesotaplaylist.com

Music

Grant Hart in limbo after house fire“It’s just lost stuff, not people.” So said a surprisingly upbeat Grant Hart a few days after a fire destroyed two rooms and a lot of personal belongings at his house in South St. Paul last week.

Andre knows who she’s singing to and nails the target head-on, and while her confessional pop sound is far from feel-good and sugary, her lyrics line up nicely with a well-executed percussive piano melody.

It’s almost all about the music of the 1950s and ’60s, performed by a quartet of women. The new production at the Plymouth Playhouse sticks to the formula and is a real winner for those just looking for an evening’s distraction.